In the summer of 1986, Zhao Huanhuan received an invitation to go to Kyoto to participate in the National Fashion Design Competition.
Zhao Huanhuan didn't want to go at first, but her parents and in-laws all supported her going. In the end, Zhao Huanhuan discussed it with Lin Yuanan'an.
The father and son also suggested that she give it a try.
Just then, Lin Yuan mentioned that he would also be going to Kyoto on a business trip during that time. Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanhuan agreed and made arrangements at home and in the shop so that the Second Garment Factory could deliver the goods to the shop as soon as they were ready.
After settling things at home, Zhao Huanhuan and Lin Yuan took a train to Kyoto in late April.
The two of them also brought two boxes of local specialties for their aunt, and two trench coats, two leather jackets, two skirts, and two skirt-pant suits for their aunt and uncle.
I brought both winter and summer clothes, so my aunt can buy two fewer seasons' worth of clothes.
Of course, she knew her aunt's size. Last summer, she wrote to her aunt to ask about her size and even sent her some clothes.
Later, my aunt wrote back saying that the clothes fit perfectly and thanked Huanhuan very much.
Huanhuan said that when she got married, her aunt gave her a set of clothes that were so fashionable at the time. Even after several years, she could still attract attention and envy from people who saw her. Just imagine how different the fashion sense in Kyoto was from that in the village back then.
Even now, if she were to wear the clothes her aunt bought for her, they would still be fashionable. However, since Zhao Huanhuan got married and had a child, she has grown a little taller and gained about ten pounds. Now, the waistband of the clothes is a bit too tight, the legs are a bit too short, the coat is a bit too tight, and the sleeves are a bit too short.
But Zhao Huanhuan will remember her aunt buying her fashionable clothes for the rest of her life. Therefore, when she buys nice clothes that she thinks are suitable for her aunt's age, she will send her two pieces.
This time, she went in person, naturally bringing extra for her aunt.
As for her aunt's child, she didn't bring any clothes, but planned to buy him something he liked when she went over, since it was the first time she had met her cousin.
Zhao Huanhuan met her aunt and uncle when they came back once in 1982, but her cousin never came back, so she never met him.
After arriving in Kyoto, the two took a taxi to their aunt's house, following the address her aunt had given them.
It was 4:30 pm, and my aunt hadn't finished get off work yet, so the two of them went to a hotel near my aunt's house and booked a room.
Now that they have ID cards, they can simply use their ID cards and marriage certificates to book a double room.
Because the place Lin Yuan needed to go to was quite far from his aunt's neighborhood, otherwise he would have taken Huanhuan to stay at a guesthouse.
After checking into their room and washing up, the two of them realized it was past six o'clock before heading to their aunt's house with their bags.
My aunt and uncle had already come home from get off work. When my aunt saw them, she was stunned. But my uncle reacted quickly and helped take the things and put them on the ground.
"Huanhuan, Xiaolin, what brings you two here?" Auntie's eyes were red with excitement. It had been several years since she had seen her relatives from her maternal home. They were just too far away. She was also busy with work, and now she was looking forward to retirement.
"I'm here to participate in a fashion design competition. They sent me the invitation letter in mid-April," Zhao Huanhuan said, then went up and hugged her aunt. "My mom has been talking about you a lot. She said she wants to come visit you after you retire!"
"Okay, hehe, you two sit down first, your aunt and uncle will cook!" The aunt wiped her eyes. She also missed her sister. She didn't realize it when they were together every day when they were young, but she realized it after they got married. As sisters, you are only family for a few years. After marriage, especially if one of you has married far away, it is extremely difficult to see your brothers and sisters again.
“Okay, I’ll do it with my aunt. Uncle, you go have tea and chat with Lin Yuan.” Zhao Huanhuan said to her uncle with a smile.
My aunt's husband works in a government agency and has a lot in common with Lin Yuan, who is also a government official. The last time they met, they had a very congenial conversation.
My aunt smiled and looked at my uncle, saying, "Go ahead, you go and entertain Xiaolin. Huanhuan and I can have a chat."
Uncle smiled, nodded, and invited Lin Yuan to go to the study for tea and a chat.
Zhao Huanhuan glanced around the room and went to cook with her aunt.
My aunt's house isn't big, about 80 square meters, a little bigger than their apartment building.
It has three bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. There are two bedrooms, and the other smaller room was turned into a study by my aunt's husband.
The living room is quite large, and my aunt's dining table is also placed in the living room near the kitchen on the balcony.
Because of their arrival, Auntie added two more stir-fried dishes. It just so happened that Uncle had bought cooked meat after get off work that day, and Lin Yuan and Uncle each drank two glasses of wine while eating.
After dinner, my aunt's husband and Lin Yuan went to wash the dishes.
Zhao Huanhuan and her aunt sat together unpacking the things they had brought.
My aunt was delighted to see the two boxes of local specialties from her hometown.
When the aunt saw how many clothes Zhao Huanhuan had brought for the couple, she was stunned. "So many? Why are you bringing so many to sell? These styles are very trendy here. They should be more expensive back home. How much money are you losing out on?"
Zhao Huanhuan chuckled, "It's alright, Auntie. These are all goods I brought back from Guangzhou, and I found the best and most fashionable styles. You and Uncle can try them on later, mainly the leather jackets and coats. If they don't fit, I'll take them back and exchange them for a larger size and send them to you both."
The couple were very happy after trying it on; the size was just right.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
